CAIRO: Egypt's official government-run National Council for Human Rights said in a report published on Tuesday that the military and police used “excessive force” against protesters, which sparked widespread violence and clashes in November and December last year. “The use of excessive force by police and military forces, without justification, in dispersing Tahrir Square's peaceful sit-in on 19 November 2011 led to the escalation of events,” said in the report published on Tuesday. Centering on the incidents in downtown Cairo, the body criticized the police and military over its instigation of the violence, which led to at least 19 people killed in December as clashes erupted at the Cabinet building. In November, the police attacked a peaceful sit-in at the iconic Tahrir Square. The resulting violence led to an outpouring of protesters. Police responded with a near constant barrage of tear gas, rubber bullets and live ammunition over 6 days. Medical sources told Bikyamasr.com that at least 70 people were killed in the violence, which centered on downtown Cairo's Mohamed Mahmoud street. The military, however, at a press conference in December following the three days of clashes, argued the protesters themselves were responsible for the violence, saying they used “excessive force” and that military and police were unarmed, despite images of bullet wounds. The council blamed the military police for beginning the violence in December by brutally beating a protester who was participating in the peaceful sit-in to protest the new government appointed following the November violence. The report also lashed out at the military's use of violence toward female protesters during the clashes. The now iconic “Tahrir Girl” has become a symbol of protests after soldiers ripped off her long abayya to reveal a blue bra. The incident led to large female marches across the country to demand an end to violence against women. The National Council for Human Rights argued that their findings concerning the November incident were that the military “staged” the incidents in order to create tension and hostility ahead of parliamentary elections that began on November 30. The council also condemned the use of violence directed at field hospitals, medical personnel and journalists, who were detained in November and December while covering the events. BM ShortURL: http://goo.gl/YyDIZ Tags: Cabinet, featured, Protests, SCAF, Tahrir Section: Egypt, Human Rights, Latest News
